Brassiere



April 26; 1938. W.IRO SENTHAL. El AL 2,115,397

,BRAssIERE:

Filed May 8, 1936 OSENI'HAL Sg ARLES m. Suns THEIR TTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 26, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE 2,115,397 naassmaa Application May 8, 1938, Serial No. 78,598

14 Claims.

This invention relates broadly to a new brassiere construction.

One of the objects of this'invention is the creation of a brassiere which is adapted to support the bust in natural position.

Another object of this invention is the creation of a brassire having the constructional elements thereof so arranged, located, associated and combined that the breasts of the wearer thereof by virtue of the employment of the brassiere are uplifted to a predetermined degree andfirmly and comfortably supported in a natural uplifted position.

Another object of this invention is the creation of a breast supporting garment embodying adjustable means for uplifting and supporting the wearers breasts.

Another object of this invention is the creation of a brassiere embodying means whereby each of the wearers breasts is individually supported and uplifted by both of the shoulders of the wearer.

Another object of this invention is the creation of a brassiere having within each breast receiving pocket thereof a relatively free and adjustable sling-like element adapted to under-breast contact for the purpose of supporting and uplifting the wearer's breasts.

A further object of this invention is'the creation of a brassiere including novel internal adjustable breast supporting and uplifting elements.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a novel brassiere construction, wherein each shoulder strap may be adjusted or completely disengaged at one end thereof.

A still further object of this invention is the creation of a brassire providing desired breast uplift and support and which is adapted to ready manufacture in quantity, and'is of strong and durable construction although soft, comfortable and easy to wear.

These and many other objects are secured by the brassiere construction herein disclosed. Various other objects and advantages of the invention than those hereinabove specifically mentioned will appear more fully hereinafter. It is to be understood, that the specific form or forms shown are merely illustrative and hence the detailed description thereof is not to be taken as ment and relative location of parts, all as will appear more fully hereinafter.

Referring to the drawing, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the several views to indicate the same or similar parts, it will be found that:

Fig. 1 represents a rear elevational view of a brassiere employing the novel principles of our construction shown as spread out and with the back straps disengaged from each other and with the shoulder straps disengaged at their forward ends;

Fig. 2 represents a front elevational view thereof Fig. 3 represents a rear perspective view of our novel brassire construction, shown in wearing position; and

Fig. 4 represents a sectional view, taken along the section line 4-4 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

As is well known, the trend in present day women's styles is towards accentuation of the natural breast and body lines so as to emphasize the inherent beauty in the natural curves of the well developed human form, while providing. a high degree of comfort and freedom of natural movement.

Some women find that their bust line is not sufficiently accentuated and outstanding to accord with present day styles because their breasts although of ample proportions are pendulous.

Other women having the desired configuration of bust line find that they are often in serious danger of losing the same for one reason or another such, for example, as. because of lactation, abnormalities and the like. Women such as these run the risk of finding themselves outmoded, out of step with current fashion and frequently unable to wear and make use of current styles, particularly of outer wearing apparel.

Besides the foregoing it is also readily apparent that solely as a matter of health and well being, and quite apart from all considerations of style and/or women's figures, it is imperative that women generally wear such breast supporting garments as wfll provide the uplift and support necessary to prevent undue strain (such as might be occasioned by exercise, strains or even the continual weight of the breasts themselves) which might result in a permanent stretch and distortion of the delicate breast tissues; and that proper and adequate support and uplift be employed at all times as a safeguard and means for retaining and conserving the natural and youthful configuration of bust lines.

necessary support and uplift could be adjustably arranged for by the wearer, to meet the wearer's requirements. s

It is the purpose of this invention, therefore, to provide a novel type of brassiere of novel construction having the usual supporting and uplifting effect of the conventional breast receivin pockets enhanced by the embodiment of means whereby the desired necessary support and uplift is' made available to the wearer, which brassiere is easy to wear and use as well as economical to manufacture.

Referring now to the drawing, it willbe noted that we have shown at and 2 two breast receiving pockets joined together by the upper fabric element 3 and the lower elastic element 4, which breast receiving pockets have attached to their respective free ends the back bands 5 and 6.

Attached to the free end of back band 6 is an elastic element 1 having secured at its free end the usual hook strip 3. Attached to the free end of back band 5 is an elastic element 3 having secured at its free end an eye strip III, the eyes on which are adapted to engagement with the books on hook strip 3, and the fabric of which'eye strip is extended to overlap and cover the hooks and eyes when engaged and separate the same from the skin of the wearer of the garment.

Secured to back band 5 at its upper edge is an elastic element II to the free end of which there is attached a shoulder strap I2, and secured to back band 6 at its upper edge is a similar elastic element |3 attached to the free end of which is the shoulder strap I. As shown, the'other or free ends of shoulder straps l2 and H are folded back as shown at l5 and as thus folded stitched along a plurality of parallel lines of stitch l6 running transversely of the fabric of the respective shoulder straps. inspection of the drawing, such plurality of parallel lines of stitch I6 is effective to produce a plurality of successive parallel hook receiving channels H. Although as illustratively shown in the drawing we preferably provide five of such hook receiving channels at the end of each of shoulder straps l2 and I, it should, however, be understood that if desired a greater or lesser number of such channels of appropriate width may be provided to yield a wider range of adjustability as the needs of the occasion may require by an I appropriate increase or decrease in the number of transverse lines of stitch I6 which are made transversely of the. shoulder straps. Moreover, it will be observed that the employment of elastic elements I and I3 in conjunction with the channels I1, is effective to provide for finer variation in effective shoulder strap lengththan might be possible by the employment of channels l1 alone.

Turning now to the interior of the brassiere as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, it will be noted that fabric sling-like elements iii! and I9 are secured in breast receiving pockets and '2, respectively, along the line of joinder of each of said pockets with its adjacentback band. In this connection attention is directed to Fig. 4 where there is illustratively shown the manner in which the fabric of one of the pockets, to wit: pocket 2, and the fabric of one of the backbands, to wit: back band 6, are joined to the fabric of one of the sling-like elements,to wit: the sling-like element These sling-like elements l8 and I3 as shown As will be observed from an are preferably formed with curved upper and lower edges and taper down in width towards the mid-length of the garment where they each terminate in a relatively straight side edge lying to I one side of and at an angle to the garment's mid-length.

Se red substantially in the center of the free and each of elements l8 and iii are elongated straps 20 and 2|, respectively, which are preferably of elastic or like resilient material. As will appear from an inspection of the drawing these elements 20 and 2| are so arranged that they cross each other at substantially the mid-length of the garment behind the fabric element 3. It may be further noted that each of elements 20 and 2| after leaving the sling-like element I8,

or l9 to which it is attached passes through both tape elements 28, hereinafter more fully described and explained, and thereafter through an eye 24, which is preferably rectangular, of an element 25 having an integral hook portion 26, which hook portion is adaptedto reception within and cooperation with a hook channel I I in a corresponding shoulder strap. It will be understood that slidable adjustability of the elements 25 on the elements 20 and 2|, respectively, is thus provided.

After passing through elements 25 it will be noted that the free end of element 20 is at 22 seupper edge of pocket I and that the free end of element 2| is at 23 secured to substantially the highest point on the upper edge of pocket 2.

A further inspection of the drawing will disclose that the edges of the pockets and back bands as shown are finished with tape 2'! which is stitched to such edges. At each side of the fabric element 3. on the inside of the garment, however, there are provided tape elements 28 which are secured at their upper ends to the tape 2'! on the upper edge of the respective garment pockets and at their lower ends by stitching 29 to the portion of the tape 21 running up from the lower edges of the respective garment pockets at the sides' of fabric element3. The tape elements 28 except intended to confine and guide the elements 20 and 2| and, as will be observed, are so arranged that the elements 20 and 2| each passes through both elements 28 between said elementsand the inner side of the fabric of the pockets and 2 as well as connecting element 3. It may be here again noted that the elements 20. and 2| while thus passing cross each other substantially between the tape elements 28, or at substantially the mid-length of the garment.

To maintain the free endsof each of the slinglike elements i8 and IS in relatively straight condition at all times and to prevent crumpling of the fabric thereof either during use of the garment or laundering thereof, the edges of such elements for attachment at their upper and lower ends are otherwise free and not secured to the fabric of the pockets or element 3. These tape elements 28 are prior to being stitched to the elements 20' and 2|.

respectively, preferably are folded over back upon themselves and stitched to enclose'in a fabric channel thus created a resilient stiffening rib 300i whale-bone or other suitable materiaL,

It should be noted that although we have shown each of pockets and 2 as individually made of two' pieces of irregularly shaped fabric with equal effect and advantage irrespective of the construction of pockets to produce desired fullness, that we do not, therefore, intend that the present invention be taken to be in any way limited in its use and application to any particular pocket construction or size. Moreover, it should be further understood that the present invention may be employed with equal'effect and advantage not only in connection with brassieres of the length illustratively shown in the drawing, but also in connection with brassieres of the socalled longer-length type or those provided with depending body or diaphragm bands. Indeed the instant invention can be employed with beneficial results whenever appropriate uplift and support of the breasts is indicated as necessary and may even, either alone or in conjunction with other devices, find invaluable application and use as a surgical appliance.

Having thus described our novel construction, we will now briefly describe the manner in which the same is used:

In this connection it will be understood that a woman desiring the advantages of proper uplift and support will naturally select and purchase a proper sized brassiere which will be constructed to afford her a desired range of adjustability.

As is customary, the brassiere is secured by the wearer about her body so that the left breast is received in pocket I and the right breast in pocket 2.

The sling-like elements I8 and 19 are then preferably arranged so that the inner-most sides thereof, to'wit: the sides thereof not facing the fabric of pockets l and 2, respectively, come under each individual breast which contacts therewith so that each of the wearer's breasts rests upon a sling-like element. The wearer having secured the brassire about her body in the fashion described, will then bring shoulder strap l4 over her right shoulder and shoulder strap l2 over her left shoulder and by passing the hook portions 26 of the elements 25 through successive hook channels I! at the ends of the shoulder straps, will adjust the garment so as to provide herself with the desired necessary breast uplift and support and will, of course, leave the hook portions 26 of elements 25 in such hook channels l| as provide the desired degree of uplift and support.

In this connection it should be noted that the upward pull provided by each shoulder strap is at the eyes 24 of elements 25 divided into two generally upward pulls, to wit: shoulder strap 14 exerts an upward pull on the upper edge of pocket 2 tending to support and raise the wearer's right breast and via the portion of element 2| running from sling-like element l8 to eye 24 of the right element 25 a diagonally upward pull on sling-like element l8 towards the right tending to raise and uplift the left breast carried thereon. Similarly shoulder strap l2 exerts an upward pull on the upper edge of pocket I tending to support and raise the wearers left breast and via the portion of element 20 running from sling-like element I! to eye 24 of the left element 25 a diagonally upward pull on sling-like element l9 towards the left, tending to raise and uplift the right breast carried thereon.

It is, of course, to be understood that the upward pull exerted by shoulder strap M on the upper edge of pocket 2 and the upward pull exerted by shoulder strap I 2 on the upper edge of pocket I is transmitted in each case to the given pocket upper edge via the portion of the ele-- ments 2! and 20, respectively, running from the particular pocket upper edge to the eye 24 of the particular element 25, as the case may be.

Thus it will be observed that each shoulder contributes to the support of both breasts and that each breast is supported by both shoulders. Moreover, it will be further observed that, the degree of uplift and support may be adjustably determined to meet the convenience and -requirements of the wearer of the garment and that if required, the wearer can arrange for equal or unequal pull of the shoulder straps. In this connection it is, of course, preferable to arrange for equal support of both breasts, but, of course, abnormalities and lack of vfigure symmetry may necessitate, in an individual case,

unequal support. It should further be understood that due to the fact that shoulder straps I2 and I4 are connected to elastic elements II and I3, and have the plurality of hook chan-.

nels l1, and due to the further fact that elements 20 and 2| are preferably of elastic, a relatively wide range of adjustability is provided for each given garment size.

We have found that the employment of the invention herein disclosed by us, when properly adjusted, applied and used, does not result in any compression or distortion of the wearer's breasts, but rather to the contrary, is effective to provide the desired necessary and proper uplift and support essential to the creation and/or conservation of a pleasing bust configuration.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that the invention we have herein disclosed incorporates many features which are possible of general adaptation in brassieres and other breast supporting garments or devices generally, such as bandeaux, combination garments, surgical appliances and the like. Furthermore, it is conceivable that materials other than those we have mentioned as preferable might be employed in place of those we have mentioned with equal result. Still further, we are, of course, aware that many changes in the details of construction and relative arrangements of parts will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, we do not, therefore, desire to be limited to the exact details herein set forth by way of illustration, but rather to the spirit and scope of our invention as we define it in the appended claims.

What we seek to secure by and claim for United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a garment of the type described, a pair of breast receiving pockets, means securing said pockets together, a back band secured to the free end of each of said pockets, means for securing said back bands together and the garment about the body of the wearer, a sling-like element secured along one end to each pocket along the line where such pocket is joined to its adjacent back band, resilient means joining said slingthe line where each pocket joins its adjacent 75 back band, such sling-like elements being adapted to lie in the lower portion of each breast receiving pocket and tapering inwidth towards the mid-length of the garment and terminating in relatively straight edges lying to one side of the mid-length of the garment and at an angle thereto, means disposed at the mid-length of the garment for directing and confining the pulls exerted on said sling-like elements at their relatively straight edges, and means for supporting "each pocket and exerting an adjustable pull on the sling-like element in the pocket other than that supported by such means.

3. In a garment of the type described, a pair of breast receiving pockets, means secu'ringsaid pockets together, a back band secured to the free end of each of said pockets along a line of seam, an internal relatively free sling-like element secured in the lower portion ofeach of said pockets along the line of seam where each pocket joins its adjacent back band, such sling-like elements extending towards the mid-length of the gar ment and terminating a short distance therefrom, an elastic element secured to the free end of each of said sling-like elements, said elastic elements carrying slidable thereon an element carrying a hook and being secured at their free ends to the upper edge of the pocket opposite to ment to which they are joined, a pair of shoulder straps and means whereby the aforesaid hook may be securedto said shoulder straps at various positions thereon to selectively enable the wearer to adjust the effective length and upward pull of the shoulder straps.

v4. The structure recited in claim 3 characterized in .that means are provided adjacent the mid-length of the garment for confining and directing the elastic elements which join the slinglike elements to the upper edges of opposed pockets, at the region where such elastic elements cross each other.

5. The structure recited in claim 3 characterized in that the ends of the sling-like elements adjacent the mid-length of the garment, are provided, each with a stiffening rib.

6. In a garment of the type described, a pair of pockets,'means secured internally in each of said pockets, at the sides thereof foradjustably uplifting and supporting the wearers breasts and means joining said last mentioned means to the upper edges of opposite pockets, said joindermeans being adapted to cross each other at substantially the mid-length of the garment, and a shoulder strap the effective length of which may be varied to suit the wearers needs secured at one end to the back of the garment and at the other end to said joinder means adjacent the upper edges of the pockets.

'7. The structure recited in claim 6 characterized in that means are providedadjacent the mid-length of the garment for limiting, contining and directing the play of said joinder means,

8. The structure recited in claim 6 characterized in that the joinder means are arranged to 'eachpassthrough two tape elements secured inpo'sed'in each of said pockets and arranged to] contact the wearers breasts from beneath, means connecting the free end of each of said movable,

means to the upper edge of the pocket other than that in which such movable means is disposed, means for pulling on said connecting means at a point between the ends thereof and means for adjusting the magnitude of said pull.

11'. In a garment of the type described a pair of breast receiving pockets, a back band secured to the free end of each o1 said pockets, a slinglike element secured in each of said pockets where the same is joined to its adjacent back band, resilient means connecting the free end of each of said sling-like elements to the upper edge of the opposite pocket and means exerting a pull of adjustable magnitude upon said connecting means at a point between the ends of breast receiving pockets, a back band secured to the free end of each of said pockets, a slinglike element secured in each of said pockets at thefjoinder thereof with its adjacent backband, means joining the free end of each of said movable elements with the upper edge of the pocket other than that in which said sling-like element is disposed, a movable element adapted to be carried on and moved along said last mentioned joinder means, a shoulder strap secured to each backhand and means for engaging each of said movable elements to its corresponding shoulder strap at different positions adjacent the free end of such shoulder strap.

13. The structure recited in claim 3 charac- 

